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Sep 30, 2011

In 1976, guitarists Paul A. MacDONNELL and Robert CROSS, bass player Trevor DARKS and drummer/vocalist Dave BALL joined their considerable skills and produced one of the great but nearly forgotten heavy progressive projects, AUTOMATIC FINE TUNING. Doing an early form of neo-classical instrumental rock that predates the gothic harmonies and PAGANINI-love of Michael SCHENKER and Yngwie MALMSTEEN, the quartet boldly went where few rock ensembles had and recorded one brilliant album before disbanding.
Not quite metal, far from fusion and barely resembling any known forms of prog, the record is a humble but impressive showcase of how classical technique and discipline could be utilized in a hard rock format, and features MacDONNELL & CROSS's extraordinary dual-guitar lines. The impact this release had on musicians in 1976 is unknown but the foursome's prophetic ideas and execution reveals a unit well ahead of its time. Recommended to anyone with a taste for tech guitar rock in one of its earliest inceptions.

Sep 27, 2011

"Be Seeing You" was the fifth album by Dr. Feelgood, and was released in October 1977. After the departure of Wilko Johnson, this was Dr. Feelgood's first album with guitarist Gypie Mayo.The album reached number 55 in the UK Albums Chart in October 1977, and remained in that chart for only three weeks. It spawned their second single to enter the corresponding UK Singles Chart - "She's A Windup".The album's title was a catchphrase, used by the band, taken from the cult TV series, The Prisoner, which was enjoying a revival at the time. This theme continued on the album sleeve with the line "produced by Number 2 for Number 6", and included photos of the band in piped blazers and scarves, similar to those used in the series, and some "penny farthing" badges, although the album's front cover was photographed in the band's local pub, the Admiral Jellicoe.

Sep 23, 2011

The late '60s and, most especially, the 70s have inspirited the music and the rock from all over the place, so that it evolved all the way up to contributing to the appearance of the most prestigious and prodigious ensembles. LOCOMOTIV GT is a band that's legendary in the Hungarian Rock scene, but also in the Occident, lighting up an irresistible and torrential rock, in a way that made them classic. For the culture of rock, LOCOMOTIV GT marks moreover an independent and styled breath than something typical and inspiring - nevertheless, it goes as a defining reference. Read more

''Locomotiv GT'' is the debut album of the Hungarian rock group Locomotiv GT. It was released in December 1971.

Sep 22, 2011

Who were BRAM STOKER and the mysterious T. Brodson who composed all the tracks? This enigmatic 1972 release was recorded for Woolworths generic Windmill label and recorded presumably by session players to cash in on the early seventies success of bands like BLACK SABBATH, ATOMIC ROOSTER and BLACK WIDOW. The BRAM STOKER moniker evokes macabre gothic atmospheres, and so does their music with tracks like "Blitz" conjuring up a doom laden sound. The LP "Heavy Rock Spectacular" is a true lost pearl of original prog, dominated by moody Hammond organ that owes much to keith Emerson's influence. There are NICE overtones too with their own "Fingals Cave" whilst the sounds on "Poltergeist" seem to come straight from a gothic 'Hammer Horror'(www.progarchives.com)

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Discovering the Blues is culled from a series of concerts Robben Ford gave in the early '70s at Huntington Beach's Golden Bear and Ash Grove in Hollywood. At the time, Ford was just beginning his career, and his style wasn't nearly as accomplished as it would later be. Instead, he simply burns, tearing through blues classics with a passion and vigor - there is a joy of discovery in his playing which makes the music nearly transcendent, even with its flaws.

Sep 20, 2011

Rick Derringer, Tim Bogert, and Carmine Appice have each had an incredibly enduring influence on musicians of all ages across the globe. Having worked with some of the most legendary acts of all time (Appice with Vanilla Fudge & Rod Stewart; Derringer with Johnny Winter & production for Kiss, Meat Loaf & Cyndi Lauper; and Bogert with Vanilla Fudge & Cactus) the album absolutely overflows with class and virtuosity. With all three players contributing vocals, Doing Business As stands apart as a modern sounding, broad-ranged affair that recalls the classics but looks to the future.

Sep 18, 2011

The bands second release was a positive evolution. This time Jimi Hendrix engineer Eddie Kramer was behind the board, and he helped the band more fully capture it’s trademark live stylings onto tape. Robbie Chamberlin is replaced by Bobby Berge on drums, but otherwise the lineup remains the same. Tommy’s playing is closer to the trademark sound he has become so famous for. As with Zephyr, this CD also is a must have for any Tommy collector.

Sep 2, 2011

Although General’s official year of birth is 1971, several members had played together since 1967. Originally band comprised of Istvan Akos (guitar, vocals), Janos Karascony (guitar, vocals), Gabor Novai (bass), Matyas Varkonyi (piano and flute), Lajos Rech (piano), Andras Pota (drums), Sandor Revesz (vocals) plus three female backing singers: Magdi Body, Annamaria Herczku and Eva Varszegi, collectively known as Mikrolied.
General made its official debut in summer of 1972 with several TV appearances, which quickly catapulted them to national, and then – international stardom. By 1975 General became a true East European star and was voted ‘Band of the year’ in homeland. All their albums were widely sold across the Europe and achieved ‘gold’ status in Hungary. General also was the first East European band to top charts in Western Europe – actually in Holland with ‘Everybody Join Us’ single in 1975.
By that time band had already lost two of its vital formative members: Karascony (left to Locomotiv GT) and Revesz (became a new singer in Piramis). However, General managed to re-group and move forward to even bigger success. Opened for American band War (former Eric Burdon protégés) in West Germany and Britain in 1977, then embarked on USA tour (including Los Angeles festival appearance) the next year.
General went through numerous personnel changes: apart from loss of Karascony and Revesz, Akos and Rech had also left by 1975. In came Karoly Pachari (guitar, 1975, left by 1978), then in 1976 – Tibor Tatrai (guitar), Janos Solti (drums, replaced Andras Pota) and Karoly Horvath (vocals). Solti was the second to leave for Locomotiv GT in late 70s to be replaced again by Pota. Backing singers were also coming and going. Body-Herczku-Varszegi line-up survived until 1975, then Body was replaced with Edit Szigeti. All three were dropped by 1978 in favour of only two new singers: Zsuzsa Cserhati and Judith Szanti. Disbanded in 1979.

Sep 1, 2011

P2O5, founded in Wendelstein near Nuremberg in 1970, released their only LP in 1978 on the Brutkasten label which is today in high demand. There is to be heard hard rock with progressive elements and English lyrics. The Brutkasten studio was only modestly equipped, the sound thus could have been better with the corresponding funds. It now appears for the first time as a CD, with two as yet unreleased bonus tracks.